Purpose and uses of the census

The New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings forms the basis of population and social statistics. The purpose of the census is to provide an official count of the population and dwellings in New Zealand and to provide timely and accurate statistics to census customers.

Census data enables accurate population projections and estimates. It underpins decisions about policy development, funding allocation, and service provision. It is also used to determine the general and Māori electoral boundaries.

The main advantage the census has over other surveys is that it provides data down to a neighbourhood level and in-depth information about the characteristics of small population groups.

Progress since 2013 Census: reviewing content and transforming the census

For the last two censuses we followed a strategy of minimal change, but there is more scope for change in 2018. Since the 2013 Census content was developed we have worked to further our knowledge and understanding of the range of census data uses. After the census in 2013 we did a comprehensive stocktake with our key customers. This entailed running workshops and updating the specific uses of census data. Following this stocktake we completed a user consultation in which customers completed an online survey about the census data they use. We received 260 responses.

Our long-term vision (outlined in Census transformation in New Zealand) is to produce census information directly from administrative sources, where possible. Ongoing investigations have improved our understanding of how the 2018 Census can use administrative data to improve the quality of census data. Further work is required to understand to what extent administrative data sources can replace current census and population statistics in the future.

The census transformation research, the user consultation survey, the stocktake, the quality of 2013 data, feedback from previous consultations, and international developments contributed to our preliminary view of 2018 Census content.

New collection methods for 2018

The 2018 Census is moving away from traditional collection methods towards a more modern approach. We are radically altering the methods in the current collection model, by introducing mail-out, not delivering paper forms to every dwelling, and making the internet the primary response mode. Key drivers for a modernised census are rising costs, advances in technology, and lack of sustainability of the traditional model. We will also be using more administrative data in the 2018 Census to supplement the information collected.

How we’re determining 2018 Census content

Determining census content is one of the first steps in each census cycle. The 2018 Census has greater scope for content change compared with the previous two censuses, which were minimal-change censuses. However, when deciding on census content we must find a balance between maintaining relevance and ensuring data quality and consistency over time.

Content affects other areas of the census programme and the wider official statistics system, so the process must be efficient and thorough. Our aim is to understand customer information needs and maximise the effective use of all available data sources in developing statistical solutions to meet those needs. We consider the wider statistical system when responding to customer needs for data.

To determine final census content we:

• undertake public engagement and consultation – these are the first steps in census content development
• carry out survey development, which includes further research, development of the questionnaires, and testing. Testing includes cognitive testing of questions, mass completion tests, a field test in 2016, and a dress rehearsal in 2017
• consider questionnaire constraints, real-world change, respondent burden, classification reviews, and international trends.

We will publish a report on 2018 Census final content soon after the dress rehearsal in 2017. The final content decisions are made by the Government Statistician.

Public engagement and consultation process

Engagement and consultation play a major role in ensuring that the census content remains relevant and reflects real-world change. This census cycle we undertook engagement and consultation using three different methods. We held face-to-face seminars and workshops in five main centres, ran a public online discussion forum, and accepted formal submissions.

The purpose of using three different methods was to move towards modernisation and to engage with a wider range of people than we have in previous census content consultations.

We promoted our engagement and consultation with public notices in the local newspapers, newsletters to over 3,000 census data users, social media posts, targeted emails, and phone calls to our key stakeholders.

The engagement and consultation started in late 2014 with online engagement with Statistics NZ staff and initial meetings with key agencies.

Online engagement

Online engagement consisted of two phases: engagement with Statistics NZ staff, and public engagement.

The online engagement with Statistics NZ staff used a discussion forum tool called Loomio and ran over a four-week period from 24 November–19 December 2014. This online engagement involved subject matter area experts from Statistics NZ. It helped us test the functionality of Loomio and formulate our preliminary view of 2018 Census content, which the public were subsequently invited to discuss and submit on.

Public online engagement ran over nine weeks from 30 April–30 June 2015 using the Loomio discussion forum. This is the first time Statistics NZ has conducted live, supported public online engagement. It was a unique opportunity for the public to have their say about census content and for us to learn to engage with the public in this way.

Face-to-face engagement

Throughout May 2015 we also ran face-to-face seminars and workshops in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin for a small group of technical experts. The seminars were an introduction to the modernised 2018 Census and a general overview of census content. The workshops included a detailed run-through of the content for each topic.

Formal submissions

The formal submission period started two weeks after online engagement, on 18 May, and closed on 30 June 2015. We did this to encourage people to discuss and develop their thinking with others on the discussion forum before making formal submissions.

For formal submissions, we encouraged people to fill in a form on the Statistics NZ website, but also accepted email and paper submissions. This approach was in line with our digital-first goal for the 2018 Census.